Found: 7 ways to beat the heat

As Nelly once said, “It’s getting hot in herrre.” And it is. Literally. The sweltering summer heat has finally arrived, and we’re under a heat advisory for the next couple days. I stepped outside this morning, only to be greeted by a fiery-hot blast of air. You know what that means, don’t you? There’s only one thing to do: Conserve all your energy and find ways to stay cool. To help you in your search, here are seven ways to beat the heat…

Dip in the pool (here are 12 modern pools…).

Drink a sweet treat, like watermelon punch.

Slip into something light and breezy.

Put your feet up and let the cool air tickle your toes.

Curl up on the couch with a good movie (Netflix is offering a one-month free trial).

Let a melting popsicle run down your chin (here are four more popsicle recipes).

And…enjoy a cool summer supper, like the one my mom made last night. It was absolutely delicious!

Your turn, friends: How do you beat the heat during the summer? Any cool (pun intended…) tips and tricks? What’s your weather like these days? Do you like hot weather, or not so much? Here’s to staying cool… xoxo

[Top photo from LIFE magazine, via Pinterest]

Fashion Friday: Denim on denim

I had a bit of a fashion realization this morning: I rocked denim back in the day! Denim jeans were my go-to staple of the ’80s, as you can see from the above photo, and I wore them proudly. Well, The New York Times recently featured a street style round-up of people sporting their best denim-clad looks from around the world. And luckily, the denim-on-denim trend isn’t hard to master. “The trick is to mix fabric weights and washes,” says Patrick Robinson, Gap’s executive vice president of design. Here are my six favorite picks for styling the look…

*Liz Claiborne long-sleeve chambray shirt, $29.99
*Boyfriend jeans in dark vintage wash, $64.49
*Classic espadrille flats, $16.95
*Stripe sweater, $75
*Roll-up jean shorts, $178
*Jean jacket in storm cloud wash, $118

What do you think, friends? Would you rock the denim on denim look? Is it a fashion do or don’t? What’s your favorite piece of denim attire? Let’s chat… xoxo

[Bottom photo via Madewell’s Pinterest]

Parks from above

After spending an afternoon in Central Park, California-based photographer Gray Malin set out to capture the beauty of “a day in the park.” His latest photo series does just that with these gorgeous aerial shots of famed parks in New York City and Chicago. Above are NYC’s Bryant Park, Central Park Lawn and Washington Square Park. Look at all those tiny people…

…and Millennium Park, one of my favorite spots in Chicago. The Bean!


Don’t these photos make you want to pack a picnic and sit in the park on a lazy summer afternoon? What’s your favorite park, friends? xoxo


P.S. New York City from above.

The Great Clean of 2013: Update #1

So! I’m sure you all remember my summer project. When I first posted about The Great Clean of 2013 a few weeks ago, I had the highest of hopes — you know, those grand dreams that put stars in your eyes and send your heart fluttering with wild anticipation. I was determined to be one lean, mean, cleaning machine. I was pumped. I was ready. I was all set…

That is, well, until I wasn’t. I tried really hard at first. I did. And then, something weird happened. I realized it last night just as I was going to bed. Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve not cleaned out a bin so much as I gained half a bin…

What? How is that even possible? But, I feel it’s important that I come clean today — no pun intended — and be honest. As I said in the original post, I promised to report on my progress (or lack thereof…) throughout the summer, and you all know that I’m a woman of my word. So, it’s back to the drawing board this week…or, should I say back to the bins? I’ll report back again soon. Wish me luck, friends! xoxo

Would You Rather: Spend your summer at the beach or in the city?

ACK!! I’m actually torn on this one. The sun and surf? The sights and culture? Which would you choose? And, more importantly…how is your summer going? Look for my answer in the comments… xoxo

P.S. Would you rather live in the country or the city? 🙂

[Photos via We Heart It]